Side frame



Nov. 24, 1942. R. B. co'rTRELl.

SIDE FRAME Filed July s1, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l l. IILHJI L NQv. 24, 1942. R. B. co'r'rRELl.

SDE FRAME 'Filed July s1, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 www ' IN VENTOR. A/obe/i COZZ/e Nov. 24, 1942. R 'B CQTTRELL 2,303,259

SIDE FRAME' Filed July 31, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheqt 3 INVENTOK Roberfozfe,

o F o r Wmv, fr www Sw v @SQQN NN www Patented Nov. 24, 1942 SIDE FRAME Robert B. Cottrell, Chicago, Ill., assignor to American Steel Foundries, Chicago, lll., a. corporation of New Jersey Application July 31, 1940, Serial No. 348,627

8 Claims.

My invention relates to a side frame'for a railway car truck and more particularly to a novel arangement of truss type design particularly applicable to a known type of truck wherein the wheels at opposite sides of the truck are independently secured on short spindles instead of the usual form of a wheel and axle assembly which includes a wheel at each side of the truck and an axle extending therebetween.

An object of my invention is to devise a cast steel side frame of truss type comprising a boxlike central portion open at the top to accommodate a known form of connection to a car body bolster member and end portions, each of which isof bifurcated form, comprising a plurality of spaced truss members affording at their extremities means of connection to a wheel supporting spindle or stub axle.

My invention contemplates such a side frame as that above described wherein each half or each truss portion of the bifurcated end of the frame shall comprise top and bottom U-sections merging at their ends to accommodate a journal arrangement as described,

Another object is to design such a side frame with pedestal guide portions at the extremities thereof or, in a modied form, aligned openings suitable for application of a stub axle or spindle.

In a different modification, my invention contemplates anarrangement wherein the top member of the truss comprises a continuous web for each of the bifurcated portions, said web extending continuously from end to end of the frame and, in one mcdication, encircling the end portions of the frame to merge with the bottom webs.

My invention also includes as an object thereof such a side frame as that described wherein the center well is afforded a bottom wall` or spring seat of cylindrical form, said cylindrical portion portion of the frame comprises a box-section be neath the spring seat merging with end portions, each comprising a bifurcated arrangement, each leg of which is of T-section.

A yet different object is to afford a means of r tying together the side frame at opposite sides of the truck in a plane defined by the center lines of the axles at opposite ends of the truck.

Describing my invention in greater detail, Figure 1 is'a plan view of one modification thereof, the right half of the figure showing the top plan and the left half the bottom plan.

Figure 2 is a side elevation ofthe side frame structure shown in Figure 1, half in section, the section being taken in the vertical plane bisecting the structure longitudinally and substantially as indicated by the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken in the vertical transverse plane bisecting the frame as indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a planview of another modification of my novel invention, the right half showing a top plan and the left half a bottom plan thereof'.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the side frame structure shown in Figure 4, half in section, the section being taken in the vertical plane bisecting the frame longitudinally substantially as indicated by the line 5 5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken in the vertical plane bisecting the structure shown in Figures 4 and 5 transversely thereof and as indicated by the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional view through one of the bifurcated end portions of the frame approximately at the mid-portion thereof and in the planes indicated by the line l--T of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a sectional view in a vertical plane through one leg of a bifurcated end portion and substantially as indicated by the line 8-8 of Figure 5.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially in the diagonal plane indicated by the line 9-9 of Figure 4.

Figures 10, 11, 12, and 13 are fragmentary sectional views taken in the Various planes as indicated by the lines Ill-IIJ, ||-|l, l2-I2, and l3-l3 of Figure 5.

Figure 14 is a plan View of a further modication of my invention, the right half of the figure showing the'top plan and the left half thereof the bottom plan.

Figure 15 is a side elevation of the modification shown in Figure '14, half in section, the section being taken' substantially in the vertical longitudinal plane indicated by the line |5-l 5 of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a sectional view taken substantially in the transverse vertical plane bisecting the frame and asindicated by line I B-I of Figure 15. Figure 17 is' a sectional view taken diagonally through the end portion of the frame substantially in the plane indicated by the line ll-Il of Figure 15.

Figure 18 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially in the transverse vertical plane indicated by the line |8-I8 of Figure 15.

Describing the structure in greater detail and referring first to the modification shown in Figures 1 to 3, the frame is an integral cast structure comprising a central box-like portion 2 integrally formed with bifurcated end portions 3, 3, each of said bifurcated end portions comprising an inboard leg and an outboard leg 1, each with a compression member 9 and a tension member II merging adjacent their ends as at I3 to form end portions with pedestal jaws I5, I5 for connection to journal means (not shown). The lower edges of the pedestal walls are afforded aligned openings at Il, Il for reception of securing means, such as a pin or bolt,'

for means overlying the spindles or stub axles. The central box-like portion 2 has vertical lateral walls 4, 4 and end walls S, 6 arranged in rectangular form, said central box-portion 2 comprising also a bottom wall 8 of cylindrical form with the axis of said cylinder extending transversely of the truck, said cylindrical bottom wall 8 being defined along the radius R whose center at |0 lies in a plane above the plane dened by the axes |2, I2 of the axle openings at the opposite ends of the frame. Beneath the bottom wall 8 the central portion comprises a box-section with the spaced substantially horizontal wall I4 extending laterally of the side walls 4, 4 as at I 6, I6 to merge with upturned flanges I8, I8 at opposite sides of the frame. Integral webs 20, extend between the flanges I8, I8 and the side Walls 4, 4. The box-section is likewise reinforced by spaced webs 22, 22 extending longitudinally of the frame and continuing beyond the end walls 6, 6 to merge as at 24, 24 (Figure 1) with the inner inturned iianges 26, 26 of the tension members |I, |I of the respective legs of the bifurcated end members. Likewise, the upturned flanges I8, |8 at opposite sides of the central portion are continued into the bifurcated end portions to form the outer flange of each leg thereof so that the flanges |8, I8 are continuous from end to end of the frame as are also the flanges 26, 22, 25. The anges 26, 26 are widened at their lower ends to merge as at 29, 20 with the end walls 6, 6 of the boxsection.v So also the webs 2l, 2'! of the tension members at each end of the frame are continuous with the bottom wall I6, I4 so that said webs may be described as continuous from end to end of the frame and over the journal portions as at 33, 33. Openings are cored in the bottom wall I4 as at 28, 28 and as at 30, 30 in the side walls 4, 4 below the bottom wall 8, the bases of said side walls being extended longitudinally of the frame to merge as at 3|, 3| with the web of the tension member. The bottom wall I4 extends as at 32 longitudinally of the frame beyond the central box-portion and is beaded along its edge as at 34. The compression member 9 of each leg is of U-section having a top web 36 with a depending inner flange 38 merging as at 40 with the end wall 6 of the box-like central portion and having also a depending outer flange 42 which is continuous from end to end of the frame. The webs 36, 36 likewise extend from end to end of the frame but are narrowed somewhat (Figure 3) adjacent the box-like central portion. Ribs 44, 44 are integrally formed with the flanges 42, 42 where they merge with the side Walls 4, 4 of the central portion. Above the box-like central portion and merging therewith is formed the top annular flange 46 affording a means for attaching a dust seal. The webs 36, 36 of each compression member are widened to merge with each other as at 48 adjacent the center boxportion and are beaded along their merging edges as at 50 (Figure l). Where the webs 36, 36 merge with the annular flange 46 at the top of the frame, they overlie the corners of the central box-section as at 52, 52.

The pedestal jaw portion of each leg has a gusset-like member or rib 54 reinforcing its juncture with the upper portion of the tension member. On the outboard legs this takes a usual form, but on the inboard legs it is modified to afford a convenient manner of connection for tying means (not shown) extending between the frames at opposite sides of the truck. For this purpose, a bracket-like structure 56 is integrally formed between the pedestals I5 and the adjacent inclined portion of the tension member, said bracket comprising spaced ears 58 and 60 above and below the opening 62 afforded for said tying means which may be in the form of a tie rod with loops at each extremity. The ears 58 and 60 are afforded aligned openings 64, 64 for reception of a pin or other convenient securing means for the tie bar. In this modification, the tie means at opposite ends of the truck frame are located somewhat below the center line of the axles already indicated.

In the modification shown in Figures 4 to 13 inclusive, a structure generally similar to that just described is shown but differs therefrom in details more particularly set forth hereinafter. The side frame generally designated |02 has a box-like central portion substantially identical with that of the modification just described, said box-section forming a central well-like opening defined by ends walls |04, |04 and side Walls |06, |06 together with the cylindrical bottom wall |08, said end walls being continuous with the bottom wall |08 as in the previous modification and as best seen in the sectional View of Figure 5. The lateral or side walls |06, |06 extend below the bottom wall |08 as at ||0, |I0 (Figure 6) to merge with the bottom web I I2 of the tension member of the frame. 'I'he bottom web I|2 is cored away as at III, III for convenient foundry practice. Vertical longitudinal reinforcing ribs II3, II3 extend between the bottom wall |08 and the web I|2 and taper away outwardly of the end walls I 04, |04 to merge with the web ||2 as at ||5, II5. The bottom web II2 is widened as at I|4, ||4 centrally of the frame and afforded reinforcing ribs IIS, II6 (Figure 6) merging with the side walls |06, |06. Each end of the frame outwardly from the central portion is a bifurcated structure comprising two legs with each leg having a tension portion generally designated I8 and a compression portion generally designated |20, said tension and compression portions merging adjacent their ends as at |22 to afford spindle receiving means in the form of aligned openings |24, |24 at opposite ends of the frame. Around said aligned spindle openings |24, |24 are formed raised reinforcing and bearings pads |26, |26 of annular form. The tension and compression portions of each of the before-mentioned legs are of T-section, and the web |28 of the compression member extends around the end ofthe frame as at |30 and is continuous with the web I 32 of the tension member. Likewise, the vertical leg |34 of the T-section of the compression member is continuous through the end portion |22 into the corresponding leg |36 of the T-section tension member.

Y inboard legs at each end of the frame.

Beading |38 (Figure 7) is formed around'the edges of the openings |40, |40, said openings being defined ai; each end of the frame by the tension and compression members and the adjacent portion of the central box-section. The T-section tension and compression members are reinforced on their outer faces by the spaced ribs |42, |42. The middle portion of the compression member is reinforced by the outer flange |44 which tapers away adjacent the box-section to merge as at |46 (Figure 5) with the web of the compression member, and the U-section thus formed is reinforced by ribs |48, |48 extending between the flange |44 and the side wall |06, said ribs being cored away as at |49, |49. The web portions of the compression members at each end of the frame merge as at |50 (Figure 4) adjacent the central box-portion, and spaced upstanding lugs |52, |52 are formed thereonland afforded aligned openings |54, |54 for a securing pin, thus forming a means of support for brake hangers which may extend through openings |56, |56 in the web portion |50, said brake hangers supporting brake heads and brake shoes for cooperation with the wheels which are nor mally positioned between the opposite legs at each end of the frame. l

Above the central box-section is formed the annular ange |58 beaded around its outer edge as at |64, said iiange affording a means for attaching a dust seal. The said annular flange overlies as at |60, |60 (Figure 9) the corner portions of the beforementioned central well, said well aiording a cavity for spring means and said spring means being afforded a rocking seat as at |62 on the cylindrical surface defined by the wall |08 at the bottom of said well. A wear plate (not shown) may aioid a convenient bearing between aA spring seat (not shown) forming a part of the spring assembly,

The inboard leg of the bifurcated portion at each end of the frame is afforded spaced lugs ,l 66, |66 formed on the tension and compression members and afforded aligned openings |68, |68, said spaced lugs deiining a jaw-like structure for reception of securing means, such as a pin; for tie bars (not shown) extending between said Said tie bar lugs |66, |66 are equally spaced above and below the axle center lines |10, |10, and the tie bars are thus positioned in the plane defined by the axle centers lthus aording maximum stabilityfor the side frames with respect to each other.

The modification shown in Figures 14 to 18 inclusive is somewhat similar to those already described being of truss form, and comprises the central box-section defined by the transverse vertical end walls |12, |12 and the longitudinal vertical lateral walls |14, |14 forming with the arcuate or cylindrical bottom wall |16 the center well or cavity |18 within which may be received a spring group (not shown). The side walls |14, |14 extend below the arcuate wall |16 as at |60, |80 (Figure 16) to join the bottom web |82 of the frame. Spaced reinforcing longitudinal ribs |84, |84 afford additional support between the arcuate. wall |16 and the bottom web |82. 'I'he bottom web |82 is widened and formed with upstanding flanges |86, |86 (Figure 16) at opposite sides of the frame, said flanges deining with the lateral walls |14, |14 U-sections with spaced reinforcing ribs |88, |88. Atop the central boxsection is formed the annular flange |90 affording means of attaching a dust seal around that portion of the bolster which is normally seatedl on the spring group positioned in the well |18 as aforesaid. i

The opposite end portions of the frame are of bifurcated formv each comprising spaced inboard and outboard legs, andA each of said legs having a top or compression member |92 and a bottom or tension member |94 merging adjacent their ends in a pedestal jaw structure |96 for reception of wheel connecting means, such as a journal box (not shown). At the extremities of the jaws are .formed aligned openings |98, |98 within which may be received securing means, such as a bolt, to retain said wheel connectingmeans in normal position. The compression member |92 is of T- section comprising the vertical 4central web 200 which is .continuous from end to end of the frame and merges centrally thereof with the vertical wall |14 already referred to, also said comprese sion member comprises a top web 202 which likewise is continuous from end to end ofthe frame, and centrally of the frame is afforded a downturned longitudinal ange 2M (Figure 16) which tapers away at its opposite ends as best seen in the side elevation of Figure 15.V The top ber also being of T-section and comprising the vertical web 2|0, said vertical web 2|0 merging as at 2|2 (Figure 15) with the vertical web 200 of'the compression member |92. The vertical web 2|0 is continuous from end to end of the frame and merges centrally thereof with the bottom portions of the side wall |14. vTh'e top webs 202, 202 of the respective legs at each end of the frame merge as at 2|2 adjacent the central'box portionof the frame, and on the web 2|2 are formed the spaced upstanding lugs 2| 4, 2 4, said lugs .having aligned openings for mounting a pin or other securing means for the brakel hanger whichV may be supported in the spaced openings 2|6, 2|6 in the said web 2|2.

AFor convenient foundry practice, cored openings are afforded as at 2|3, 2|8 in the bottom web |82 below the central well, and likewise openings are cored as at 226, 220 (Figure 15) in the vertical walls |14 below the arcuate wall |16.

On the outboard face of the central box-section is formed the horizontal longitudinal flange 222 (Figure 16) reinforced by the spaced vertical ribs 224, 224, said longitudinal flange forming support means for a brake rod (not shown). Above the longitudinal iiange 222, the web 292 is extended outboard the frame to form the horizontal longitudinal flange 226 (Figure 16) which is slotted as at 228 to afford a connection for a pull rod or achain for convenient movement of thetruck when a locomotive is not available and without connection to the supported car body.

At the juncture of the tension and compression portions of the inboard leg at each end of the frame is formed a jaw 230 defined by spaced inturned lugs 232, 232 (Figure 17) with aligned openings 234, 234 for connection of a tie rod extending to the frame at the opposite side of the truck. Said jaws are diagonally arranged to conform to the conguration of the frame at the juncture of the tension and compression members, thus avoiding cutting into the contours of said members.

,On the inboard leg of each tension member and adjacent the central box-section of the frame is formed a horizontal seat 236 (Figures 15 and 18) affording sliding means of support for a horizontal brake lever (not shown). f

It is to be understood that I do not Wish to b limited by the exact embodiments of the device shown which are merely by Way of illustration and not limitation as various and other forms of the device Will, of course, be apparent to'those skilled in the art without departing from 'the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

l. In a cast steel truss side frame, a central box-section having lateral and end Walls and anarcuate wall continuous with said end Walls defining a Well open at the top, a bottom wall spaced from said arcuate wall, said lateral walls continuing below said arcuate Wall to form with said bottom wall a box-section beneath said Well,

.-bifurcated end portions integral with said boxsection and each comprising spaced legs formed with tension and compression members dening with said box-section aligned Window openings and merging adjacent their ends to form spaced journal portions with aligned Wheel hub openings, each of said tension and compression members having a T-section with an outer web and an inwardly directed ange, said outer Webs merging and being continuous around said journal portions and through said box-section, thus forming a continuous web entirely around said frame.

2. In a truss side frame, a rectangular central portion having vertical lateral and end Walls and an arcuate wall continuous with said end Walls defining a well open at the top, a spaced bottom wall forming with said lateral Walls and said arcuate wall a box-section beneath said Well, integral bifurcated end portions each comprising spaced legs with tension and compression members having Webs merging adjacent said central portion and extending entirely across said frame, the Webs on said compression members comprising spaced brake securing means adjacent their juncture at each end of said frame, said means comprising spaced slots through said Webs for the reception of the ends of associated brake hangers, and upstanding lugs atop said webs and adjacent said slots, said lugs affording means for thesecurement of said hangers.

3. In a cast steel truss side frame, a rectangular central portion having lateral and end walls and an arcuate Wall continuous with said end walls defining a well open at the top, a spaced bottom wall forming with said lateral walls and said arcuate wall a box-section beneath said well, and integral bifurcated end portions, each cornprising spaced legs with tension and compression members having webs merging adjacent said central portion and extending entirely across said frame, said compression and tension members having T-sections merging at opposite ends of said frame with the transverse web of said T- section extending around said ends.

4.. In a cast steel truss side frame,arectangular central portion having lateral and end walls and an arcuate Wall continuous with said end walls defining a well open at the top, a spaced bottom Wall forming with said lateral Walls and said arcuate wall a box-section beneath said Well, and integral bifurcated end portions, each comprising spaced legs with tension and compression members having webs merging adjacent said central portion and extending entirely across said frame, each of said tension members being of T-section extending from end to end of said frame and continuous through said central portion, one of said members having a U-section at said central portion.

5. In a cast steel truss side frame, a central portion having lateral and end Walls and an arcuate Wall continuous with said end Walls dening a Well open at the top, a spaced bottom Wall forming with said lateral walls and said arcuate Wall a box-section beneath said Well, and integral bifurcated end portions each including tension and compression members of T-section integral with said lateral walls and having Webs merging adjacent said central portion and extending entirely across said frame, .one of said members having a U-section along said central portion.

6. In a cast steel truss side frame, a central portion having lateral and end walls and an arcuate wall continuous with said end walls dening a well open at the top, a spaced bottom wall forming with said lateral walls and said arcuate Wall a box-section beneath said well, and integral bifurcated end portions each including tension and compression members of T-section integral with said central portion with the transverse web of said T-section extending therearound, one of said members having a U-section along said central portion.

7. A truss type side frame comprising a central box portion and end portions of bifurcated form with inboard and outboard legs, said legs having tension and compression members merging in pedestal openings aligned transversely of the truck, and a brake lever seat on one of said tension members.

8. A truss type side frame comprising a central box-section and integral end portions of bifurcated form With inboard and outboard legs, said d legs having tension and compression members 

